Re: FOB furniture
The term "FOB" is usually followed by a location. For example, since my store is located in Alexandria VA all local quotes are done FOB Alexandria, VA. That means the furniture price is to the point of my store. If customer lives 45 miles away, there is a delivery change to go that 45 miles. For my distance customers, its FOB Factory Location. You pay the shipping from the factory loading dock to you. For a company such as Hancock and Moore, it would be FOB Taylorsville NC. So the price you get for a quote is to the loading dock at H&M and then shipping is extra - or you can pick it up yourself if so inclined.
As for Damages in transit, the way shipping works in any industry (and furniture is no exception), the shipper is responsible for all damages, not the merchant. And it makes sense if you think it through. Why would the seller of a product take the risk and a shipping service take none? Why would a shipper care how they handled the product if they were not financially responsible for it? The shipper HAS to be responsible for damages in transit so they develop a level of care and handling to get them to you in good condition. In the shipping industry, damages run about 3% overall, and bonuses for employees at year end all depend on the amount of damages through the year. There is a financial incentive for everyone handling your product to not beat it up, it comes out of their paycheck if they do. Having said that - any time you are moving large, heavy goods in a truck, things can and do happen. The good companies take care of damages, the bad ones find excuses not to. It's not hassle-free, but eventually it all works out for the most part.
There are certain assumptions made in the shipping business as well 1) The goods are in perfect condition when picked up unless noted otherwise on the bill of lading 2) The end user (that's you) always has rights of refusal and you should not accept damaged goods unless you are willing to live with whatever is imperfect on it.
Duane Collie
Straight answers from thirty-six years in the business.
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